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Fragrance: Fresh & Clean Inspiration: Greek Myth of the Sirens Region: Greece Description: Siren is fresh lemon oil and lemongrass blended with rich florals. Sage and thyme add to the base a lively herbaceous quality. |
The Myth:
In Greek mythology the Sirens were described as creatures with the head of a female and the body of a bird. Sirens were sometimes also depicted as beautiful women, or even as mermaids (half woman, half fish). The fact that in some languages (such as Spanish, French, Italian, Polish and Portuguese) the word for mermaid is Siren, Sirene, Sirena, Syrena or Sereia adds to the confusion as to what exactly they were. They lived in an island region that included 3 small rocky islands that were a main thoroughfare for sailors. With the irresistible charm of their song, they lured sailors to their destruction on the rocks surrounding their islands. The islands were full of the bones of those who had perished there.
They sang melodies so beautiful that sailors passing by couldn't resist getting closer to them. Following the sound of music, the sailors would steer their boats toward the Sirens, or jump in the water to get closer. Either way, it always ended in disaster on the rocky islands.
In Homer's Odyssey, there is a tale of Odysseus' encounter with the Sirens. Knowing the stories of the demise of other men, Odysseus had his sailors stuff their ears with wax. He wanted to hear the Siren's song, and so he had himself bound to the mast of the ship with thick ropes. As they drew closer, Odysseus heard their song:
"Draw near...illustrious Odysseus, flower of the Achaean chivalry, and bring your ship to rest that you may hear our voices. No seaman ever sailed his black ship past this place without listening to the sweet voices that flow from our lips, and none that listened has not been delighted and gone on a wiser man. For we know all that the Achaeans and Trojans suffer on the broad plain of Troy by the will of the gods, and we have foreknowledge of all that is going to happen on this fruitful earth." (The SIRENS to Odysseus. Homer, Odyssey 12.184)
When he heard their pursuasive and lovely melody, Odysseus strongly wished to stay with the Sirens and begged to be released. Knowing better than to follow his command, his comrades bound him tighter, until they had sailed past the Sirens.
The only other story of men who survived the lure of the Siren's song was the story of Jason and the Argonauts. On their ship they had Orpheus (a musician). When they passed through the islands of the Sirens, Orpheus realized the danger they were in. He took out his lyre and played music that was even more beautiful so that it drowned out the voices of the Sirens and the sailors were not able to hear.
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